VOCAL FATIGUE AMONG TEACHERS

Recordings were made at the beginning and end of workdays of teachers who experience vocal fatigue (n = 22) and those who do not experience fatigue (n = 17). Those who experienced fatigue were recorded on days in which they did and did not fatigue. Both groups evaluated their voc al characteristics, each time they made a recording. Subsequently, a l istener panel evaluated the same characteristics from the recordings. Both groups estimated the amount and characteristics of their talking time, completed a psychological evaluation and provided medical histor ies. The authors interpret the data obtained as indicating that the vo cal characteristics of teachers who fatigue and those who do not fatig ue are similar on days the former group does not fatigue and that the two groups are similar in the amount and loudness of their talking tim e, at work and at home. However, teachers who fatigue tend to spend mo re time in activities that appear to be vocally demanding and are more likely to perceive situations as being anxiety producing. Teachers wh o fatigue tend to be in good health, but have had more hearing problem s and allergies than their colleagues and more of their family members have had voice problems.